Rachel Zajac-Fay (Florida) will present “Communication Programs and Guidelines: Let’s Take Action” at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) North America 42nd Annual Meeting on November 14-18, 2021.

Rachel’s co-presenters are Shawn Sager and Jacquelyn Clarkson.

Rachel Zajac-Fay is an environmental scientist with more than 13 years of experience on hazardous waste site characterization and remediation projects and ecological risk assessment. She has conducted numerous projects under the CERCLA and RCRA programs at a variety of commercial and federal facilities. Her experience includes work planning, field work, data analysis, and technical writing in support of preliminary assessments/site inspections, facility investigations, supplemental investigations, and remedial investigations.

SETAC is a not-for-profit, worldwide professional organization composed of about 5,000 individuals and institution in more than 90 countries dedicated to the study, analysis and solution of environmental problems, the management and regulation of natural resources, research and development and environmental education. In addition, the society has more than 20,000 followers worldwide.

Abstract

All environmental risk assessors communicate daily with internal project teams, regulatory agencies, and/or the public. Yet there is no standard for risk communication language. Further, core questions still remain: What is the difference between science communication and risk communication? Why doesn’t a standard exist for risk language? How do risk assessors learn effective writing and communication skills? How do communicators learn scientific and technical information? This session will explore these core questions as they relate to risk language through presentations that cover both successful and unsuccessful case studies. The session may provide examples related to creating a successful communications program or guidelines. With information available from a number of outlets, communicators need to be cautious and thorough when interpreting and communicating information to stakeholders. The communication method may vary depending on the information type and audience and can be achieved through many venues, official reports, fact sheets, social media, or news outlets. Not only is it important to consider the audience, but also the forum in which you’re using for the communication. In this session, we’ll explore the means, methods, and forums for communication, specific language, and the audience to building the communication programs and guidelines. The intent of this session is for each speaker to highlight 1 to 3 lessons learned. This session has the potential to bring experts from government, industry and academia to review shared experiences about science and risk communication for human and ecological health, culminating in information that can be used by environmental scientists, managers, policy makers, and others in a variety of environmental situations.

More Information

About the event: https://portland.setac.org/
About SETAC: https://www.setac.org/
For consultation regarding risk assessment and communication, contact Rachel Zajac-Fay at RZajacFay@Geosyntec.com
Learn more about Rachel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-zajac-fay-4666353/